Barcelona take their European campaign to Rome on Wednesday, with Pere Romeu’s side aiming to follow their opening-day rout of Paris FC by taking another major step in the Women’s Champions League league phase. The match against Roma at the Stadio Tre Fontane starts at 18:45, and Barcelona arrive with three victories from three previous meetings.
| Meeting | Venue | Result | Barcelona scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 March 2023 | Stadio Olimpico, Rome | Roma 0-1 Barcelona | Salma Paralluelo |
| 29 March 2023 | Camp Nou | Barcelona 5-1 Roma | Fridolina Rolfö (2), Mapi León, Asisat Oshoala, Patri Guijarro |
| One year ago | Stadio Tre Fontane | Roma 0-4 Barcelona | Esmee Brugts, Kika Nazareth, Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham |
Barcelona’s travelling group is strengthened by the return of Renee van Asten, who has missed the last five matches with a myofascial injury to the posterior part of her right rectus femoris. Under-20 World Cup winners Carla Julià, Aïcha Camara, Noa Jiménez and Rosalía Domínguez are also back in the squad.
Romeu demands Barcelona’s best away from home
Romeu warned that Barcelona’s record against Roma will carry little weight once the contest begins. “This is the Champions League and away matches are never simple,” he said. “We need to produce a very strong performance to take the three points.”
The coach expects an ambitious Roma under their new manager this season, describing the Italian side as aggressive in high pressing and willing to play high up the pitch in opposition territory.
Barcelona have negotiated a difficult early stretch of the season with limited player availability, a period Romeu said had made the work completed during September especially valuable. While absences remain, he believes the squad are beginning to resemble themselves again.
Julià said the returning young internationals had remained closely connected to the group even while in Poland. “We kept following the team and watching them,” she said. “Players are coming back and we are improving.”
Rome before the Clásico
The immediate focus is firmly on Rome and a second league-phase assignment in Europe. Yet Barcelona’s week will not slow after the Tre Fontane: Real Madrid visit Camp Nou for Sunday’s Clásico.
